The Pie and the Tart

About the Author & Lesson

Hugh Chesterman (1884–1941): An English writer and illustrator known for his witty children's stories and historical plays.

The Lesson: "The Pie and the Tart" is a humorous one-act play set in 15th-century France. It follows two hungry vagabonds, Jean and Pierre, who use their quick wits to trick a pompous baker and his gullible wife out of a delicious eel pie and a cranberry tart. The play highlights the sharp contrast between the wealthy business owners and the starving homeless, told through clever dialogue and situational comedy.

I. Comprehension Questions (Brief Answers)

Answer: (c) their ability to laugh at and talk lightly about their miserable condition.

Answer: Pierre was arrested for begging. He defended himself before the judge saying that he begged because he wanted to live.

Answer: (a) the judge's insensitivity.

Answer: Squinting slightly is a sure sign of starvation.

Answer: M. Gaultier, the owner of the cake shop, opens the door.

Answer: Both of them say, "Go away, I've got nothing for you." Gaultier says that his wife is away and he is busy, whereas Marion says that her husband is away and she is busy.

Answer:
• Gaultier: content with his lot, hypocritical, foolish, sensitive, pompous, excellent pastry cook.
• Marion: conceited, stoutish, comely, gullible.
• Pierre: clever, has presence of mind, quick-witted, resourceful.

Answer: (c) too conscious and proud of his position.

Answer: The baker tells his wife that he would instruct the messenger to kiss his wife's hand. This helps Jean in his planning.

Answer: Jean had already knocked once on the door and had already been seen by Marion.

Answer: Pierre mixes up the words and says, "Good morning lady. I have come from M. Pie, who sends me to fetch the Gaultier - I should say I have come from M. Gaultier, who sends me to fetch the pie - the eel pie."

Answer: The messenger had to ask to kiss Marion's hand.

Answer: (c) Jean wants to take advantage of the situation.

Answer: Pierre gives many comparisons. One of them is 'as a shepherd with his ewes.'

Answer: Marion handed the pie to Pierre very easily and looking at it, in his extremely hungry state, Pierre thinks he has been dreaming.

Answer: They go back to the bakery to get the cranberry tart.

Answer: Pierre means that Gaultier is such a wonderful baker that even the eels wouldn't mind dying at his hands if they could only be used in his wonderful pies. We conclude that Gaultier is an excellent baker.

Answer: Pierre thinks the only fault with the pie was that there was only one pie and not two.

Answer: Marion opens the door.

Answer: No. Jean does not get the tart. M. Gaultier runs out of the shop and starts cudgeling him. Gaultier thinks that it was Jean who had come to take the pie before.

Answer: Jean resented the beating he had got at M. Gaultier's hands and wanted Pierre to experience the same since he too had eaten the pie with Jean.

Answer: Jean tells him that Marion wanted the same messenger who took the pie to take the tart too. He also says that no matter how many times he kissed Marion's hand, she wouldn't budge an inch.

Answer: Marion asks Gaultier to choose a good-looking messenger as her hand is not for everyone to kiss.

II. Close Study (Extracts)

a) What does 'them' refer to?
Answer: The eels.

b) What does the above statement tell us about Gaultier?
Answer: It tells us that Gaultier is such a wonderful baker that the eels do not mind dying if they could be included in one of his pies. They voluntarily die so that he could use them in his pie.

c) What prompts Pierre to give such a compliment to Gaultier?
Answer: Pierre, along with Jean, has just finished eating the pie that Gaultier had baked. That wonderful pie, on a starving stomach, prompts him to give such a compliment.

a) Where is Gaultier supposed to carry the pie?
Answer: Gaultier is supposed to carry the pie to the house of the Mayor of Paris.

b) What does the passage tell you about his character?
Answer: It tells us that Gaultier is very conscious of his position and importance, and thinks too highly of himself.

c) Who is he addressing?
Answer: He is speaking to his wife, Marion.

III. Paragraph Writing

Answer: Jean and Pierre share many similarities as individuals:
• Both are vagabonds living on the streets of Paris.
• Both are shivering in the bitter cold weather.
• Both have a good sense of humour despite their poverty.
• Both are determined to get something to eat that day.
• They do not wallow in self-pity but use their wits to survive.

Answer:
• Plays are meant to be enacted on a stage.
• Stage directions help to stage the play effectively.
• Even young, inexperienced people can stage such a play.
• The Director can change movements if he wants to for better effect.